There’s no stopping pole vaulter EJ Obiena.
The 26-year-old Tokyo Olympian delivered another victorious performance when he ruled the Gala dei Castelli in Bellinzona, Switzerland Monday, Sept. 12 (early Tuesday in Manila.)
Still fresh from capturing the Golden Fly Series in Schaan, Liechtenstein the day before, Obiena showed no signs of slowing down as he cleared 5.81 meters for a new meet record.
He started at 5.61m, which he cleared in two attempts, then passed 5.71m before clearing 5.81m also on his second try.
Obiena attempted to reset his national and Asian mark – a habit that he has been doing this season – but failed to clear 5.95m.
Obiena beat Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Chris Nilsen, who settled for silver via countback with veteran Renaud Lavillenie of France and fellow American Jacob Wooten.
The three registered identical 5.71m.
Lavillenie came in with the bronze.
It was an impressive feat for Obiena, who captured his sixth title in the eight tournaments since starting his second European season last month.
He also never missed the podium in all those eight appearances.
His victories came at the Stabhochsprungmeeting in Jockgrim, Germany, the True Athletes Classics in Leverkusen, Germany, the Saint Wendel City Jump in Sankt Wendel, Germany, the Golden Fly Series in Liechtenstein and the Memorial van Damme Diamond League meet in Brussels, Belgium where he beat world No. 1 Mondo Duplantis.
His other accomplishments include finishing third in the Athletissima in Lausanne, Switzerland and second in ISTAF in Berlin, Germany.